The faculty and staff in the Department of Agricultural Economics have been named the recipients of the annual Office of Sponsored Student Programs Appreciation Award for the 2016-17 academic year.

Traditionally, the office names one outstanding faculty member and one outstanding staff member who have facilitated an aspect of the sponsored student process, encouraged or mentored sponsored students and exemplified outstanding contributions to the sponsored student program. However, the amount of support the entire agricultural economics faculty and staff have shown to sponsored students at the University of Arkansas warranted a change in tradition.

"Agriculture Economics has had a long-standing commitment to supporting international students, in particular sponsored students," said sponsored student programs director Gloria Flores Passmore. "The Office of Sponsored Student Programs would not be as successful a program without this commitment." 

The Department of Agricultural Economics was recognized at an appreciation dinner held for sponsored students earlier this month.

In addition to honoring outstanding faculty and staff, sponsored students who have completed degrees or who are set to complete their studies at the university in spring or summer 2017 were recognized.

"One of the best experiences I've had at the university has been volunteering for different activities with institutions on campus," said Victor Tello, a Fulbright Scholar from Panama who will be graduating this spring with a master's degree in computer science and computer engineering. "I have participated in activities with the Fulbright Scholars at the University of Arkansas, in which we share our culture and learn from people from around the world. Here, we have not only learned about a specific field, but ways to use the knowledge we have gained to help our country. I think this is the most important part of being an international and sponsored student - the time after graduation."

Sponsored students are those who are funded by foreign governments, the U.S. government, domestic and international agencies, private companies and corporations. These international students, upon completion of their degrees or study abroad experience, return to their home countries and serve as important links between the United States, Arkansas and the University of Arkansas in business, government, education and industry.

The recognition dinner event also played host to a group of 25 advisers from EducationUSA, a U.S. Department of State network that promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world. The advisers were on campus as part of a training institute hosted by the University of Arkansas, Spring International Language Center, Northwest Arkansas Community College and John Brown University.